Consistently among the best in Europe, especially in law, engineering, social sciences, and sustainability
One of the largest selections in Europe, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees
Tuition and living costs are moderate, especially at public institutions.
: Over 120,000 international students from 160+ countries.
Centrally located and well-connected within the EU
Location: Amsterdam
Known For: Social Sciences, Law, Humanities
Location: Delft
Known For: Engineering, Architecture
Location: Rotterdam
Known For: Business, Economics, Health
Location: Leiden
Known For: Law, International Relations
Location: Utrecht
Known For: Life Sciences, Sustainability
Location: Wageningen
Known For: Agriculture, Food Science, Environment
Location: Eindhoven
Known For: Innovation, Engineering
Location: Maastricht
Known For: Problem-based learning, Psychology
| Intake | Application Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main Intake | September | January – May (early deadlines for selective programs) |
| Limited Intake | February | September – November |
| Note: Some programs (especially in medicine, psychology, business) have numerus fixus (fixed quota) and early deadlines (often January 15). | ||
| Level | Tuition Range |
| Public Universities (EU/EEA) | €2,530 (standard statutory fee) |
| Public Universities (Non-EU) | €6,000 – €18,000 |
| Private Universities | €12,000 – €30,000 (MBAs, design, etc.) |
Includes housing, food, insurance, transport, and personal expenses.
Offer pre-arrival support, orientation, housing help, and visa guidance.
Mandatory for all non-EU students (avg. €80–€120/month)
CV support, internships, job fairs, and Dutch work culture training
Free or subsidized Dutch classes for international students
Integration programs, buddy systems, social events
The Netherlands offers more English-taught programs than anywhere else in continental Europe (over 2,000), a practical problem-based teaching style, and a highly international environment — over 90% of Dutch people speak English.
Non-EU tuition is typically €8,000–20,000 per year. Living costs are about €900–1,500 per month. Student housing in Amsterdam and Utrecht is scarce — start looking as soon as you accept an offer.
Research universities generally expect strong academics and IELTS 6.5; universities of applied sciences (HBO) accept IELTS 6.0. Applications go through the national Studielink portal, and your university arranges the residence permit on your behalf.
Yes — TOEFL and Cambridge certificates are accepted universally, and many institutions waive testing for applicants educated in English. A few also accept PTE Academic. Each university lists its accepted evidence on the program page.
The NL Scholarship gives €5,000 in the first year for non-EU students, and universities run their own excellence awards (Amsterdam Merit, Radboud, Utrecht Excellence and others) worth up to full tuition plus living costs. Erasmus Mundus programs hosted partly in the Netherlands cover everything.
Yes — non-EU students may work 16 hours per week (your employer obtains a work permit) or full-time during June, July and August. Paid internships that are part of your study program do not count against this limit.
It is genuinely tight in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Leiden — rooms go within days. Register with your university's housing office the moment you accept the offer, consider nearby commuter towns (trains are excellent), and never pay a deposit for a room you have not verified.
The Orientation Year (zoekjaar) permit gives graduates 12 months to find work with no restrictions. Employers hiring you during this year benefit from a reduced salary threshold for the highly skilled migrant visa, which makes sponsorship significantly easier.
Figures and visa rules are indicative and change regularly — talk to our counsellors for the latest requirements.
